Regal 53 SC Owner's Manual page 350

Chapter 8
BOTTOM PAINT
Bottom paint in fresh water normally accumulates a bit of
algae and slime over a period of time even more so if the
vessel is not used. Most of this can be wiped off with a
turkish towel or the back side of a piece of rug while the
boat is in the water. Stay away from using a stiff bristle
brush, wire brushes or abrasive materials which may harm
the bottom paint barrier.
If used in saltwater the bottom may have accumulated
some barnacle growth. Sometimes a diver can be hired in
lieu of hoisting the vessel to clean the growth.
Periodically, the best way to inspect the bottom is to have
the boat lifted out. Make sure the straps are evenly lined
up with the sling markers on the deck. Look for scrapes in
the gelcoat along with any loose or damaged underwater
hardware.
Also, this is an excellent time to check for damaged
propellers and underwater hardware. The hull bottom
and paint should be inspected annually and touched up as
needed by your Regal yacht dealer.
Make sure to leave the required spacing (at least 1") when
touching up to protect hull components ie; trim tabs, drive
parts, anodes from electrolysis potential. Never paint any
of the above mentioned parts with bottom paint.
NOTICE
WIRE BRUSHES, SCOURING PADS,
OR OTHER ABRASIVE TYPE MATERIALS
AND SOLUTIONS SHOULD NEVER
BE USED ON THE HULL OR DECK
OF YOUR BOAT.
THEY CREATE SMALL SCRATCH
MARKS THAT WILL COLLECT MARINE
GROWTH AND OTHER FOREIGN
MATERIALS.
4